Distance of Closest Approach

c299792458

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
What is the distance of closest approach in terms of the impact parameter and the limiting value of the speed as r tends to infinity?

2. Relevant equations
N/A


3. The attempt at a solution
This is not a h/w question, it's an equation I need to do my h/w...

henry_m

I'm guessing you're working out orbits of massive particles in GR. The key in these sorts of questions is conserved quantities. How far have you managed to get?

c299792458

Hi, henry,
Actually this is not GR... It's more like Rutherford scattering... But your point still holds. Energy is conserved since it is motion in a conservative field. I'm supposed to use that equation to derive some approximations by Taylor expansion, etc.

Thanks